Washing/drying machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is the washing/drying machine, including: a cabinet forming an outer aspect of a washing/drying machine, a cover forming at least a portion of a front surface of the cabinet, and a control panel disposed at the cover and having a variety of buttons, wherein the control panel is mounted at the control panel mounting portion formed at the cover while pressing the flange formed at an upper end of the cover, thereby simultaneously coupling the cover and the control panel in one operation, thus to simplify an assembly process and increase productivity.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0093296, filed on Sep. 13, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing/drying machine, and more particularly, to a washing/drying machine which enhances an assembly structure of a front cover and a control panel.

2. Background of the Invention

In general, a washing/drying machine includes a washing machine, a drying machine, a refresher, and the like. Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine is described as an example of the washing/drying machine.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine. Referring to FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine may include a box-shaped cabinet 1 forming an outer aspect of the washing/drying machine. A tub (not shown) and a drum (not shown) are disposed inside the cabinet 1. An opening is formed in a front surface of the cabinet 1 so as to mount the tub and the drum therein.

A cover 2 is provided at one side of the opening of the cabinet 1. And, a lower end of the cover 2 is disposed to be stopped by a lower end of the cabinet 1 or coupled to the lower end thereof.

An upper jaw 25 is formed at an upper end of the cover 2, a second coupling portion 21 extending from the upper jaw 25 with a certain length is disposed so as to be coupled to the cabinet 1. A plurality of second threaded holes 22 are disposed at the second coupling portion 21 for a thread coupling. In addition, a hook coupling hole 23 is formed at an approximately central portion of the upper portion of the cover 2 in a lengthwise direction.

Meanwhile, a control panel mounting portion 11 is disposed at the upper portion of the cabinet 1 so as to mount a control panel (not shown). A first coupling portion 12 extends downwardly from a lower end of the control panel mounting portion 11 with a certain length so as to be coupled to the cover 2.

A plurality of first threaded holes 13 are provided in the first coupling portion 12, and a hook 14 is disposed at an approximately central portion of the first coupling portion 12 in the lengthwise direction. Preferably, the hook 14 is integrally formed with the first coupling portion 12. The hook 14 may be formed at either an upper side of the cabinet 1 or an upper end of the cover 2.

However, in an assembly process of the drum type washing machine, an operator is required to thread-couple the cover to the cabinet while holding the cover in one hand. Accordingly, the operator may use only one hand for the thread coupling, thereby causing an inconvenience. In addition, if the operator moves a little bit, threaded holes of the cabinet and threaded holes of the cover are not aligned with each other, thereby causing a problem in thread coupling and taking a long time to assemble.

In addition, the control panel needs to be mounted after the cover is mounted at the control panel mounting portion. That is, in order to form the front surface of the drum type washing machine, a number of components need to be assembled in multiple steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing/drying machine which assembles a cover and a control panel in one operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing/drying machine having a structure in which the cover is fixed by being pressed by the control panel, thus to fix the cover when the control panel is fixed.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing/drying machine, including: a cabinet forming an outer aspect of a washing/drying machine, a cover forming at least a portion of a front surface of the cabinet, and a control panel installed at the cover and having a variety of buttons, wherein the control panel is installed at a control panel mounting portion of the cover while pressing a flange formed at an upper end of the cover.

With these configurations, an inconvenience of separately assembling the cover and the control panel may be reduced, and productivity is enhanced. That is, the cover and the control panel may simultaneously be assembled, without having to assemble the control panel after assembling the cover.

Here, the control panel is fixed by a hook formed at the cover, which can prevent an inconvenience to couple a number of screws to the cover for fixing the cover.

In addition, a knob hole for mounting a rotary knob is disposed at the control panel. A knob deco disposed at a periphery of the rotary knob for indicating a manipulation of the rotary knob is mounted at the knob hole. A knob deco coupling means is provided so as to couple the knob deco to the knob hole of the control panel. As an example of the knob deco coupling means, a hook may be formed at a periphery of the knob hole of the control panel.

In addition, a stopping hook may be formed at the knob deco, or a mounting flange may be formed at an edge of the knob deco.

Meanwhile, a display window for installing a display is formed at the control panel, and the display having touch-sensitive buttons is mounted at the display window. If the cover is formed of a stainless steel material, the touch-sensitive buttons may also be formed of the stainless steel material, thus to provide a uniform external appearance.

A window flange is formed at an edge of the display. A lower end of the window flange is inserted into the control panel, and an upper end thereof is coupled by the hook formed at the control panel.

Preferably, the flange of the cover is formed at an edge of the control panel mounting portion. In order for the cover to be fixed by the control panel mounted at the control panel mounting portion, a flange needs to be formed at an edge of the control panel mounting portion. It is effective that the flange is formed to face the rear of the cover so as to prevent a protrusion of the cover or the control panel after assembling the cover.

A panel flange is formed at an edge of the control panel, and a plurality of coupling holes are formed at the panel flange. By coupling the coupling holes to a coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.), the cover and the control panel may be firmly fixed to a plastic frame disposed rear the control panel and for installing a variety of electronic components.

Meanwhile, the cover is formed of a stainless steel material and implemented in one body. With such configuration, even though the cover is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, the assembly structure of the cover and the control panel becomes simplified, thereby increasing productivity and promoting a stylish image of a product.

In the present invention, the cover and the control panel are coupled in one assembly operation, thereby providing a washing/drying machine which can simplify an assembly process as well as increase the productivity.

In addition, the present invention employs a structure in which the cover is fixed by being pressed by the control panel, thereby providing a washing/drying machine which can assemble the cover and the control panel, without using a coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.).

In addition, the present invention provides an assembly structure in which the cover and the control panel, which are integrally formed, are easily assembled, thereby enabling mass production of a high-quality washing/drying machine having a cover integrally formed using a stainless steel material.

In the present invention, the cover is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, thereby enhancing a stylish image of a product.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a control panel mounted at the cover in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘IV-IV’ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “A” in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VI-VI’ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “B” in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VIII-VIII’ in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “C” in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description represents many aspects that can be claimed, and constitutes a part of detailed description about the present invention.

Detailed explanation about well-known functions or configurations will be omitted so as to implement the present invention more explicitly.

Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience in explanation, a drum type washing machine as an example of the washing/drying machine will be described in detail. Configurations of the drum type washing machine, except an assembly structure of a control panel and a cover, are the same as those of the drum type washing machine described in FIG. 1, and detailed explanations therefor are omitted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of a control panel mounted at the cover in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an opening 104 disposed at an approximately central portion thereof for mounting a door (not shown), and a control panel mounting portion 101 penetratingly disposed at an upper portion thereof for mounting a control panel.

Here, the cover 100 is formed of a stainless steel material and implemented in one body. Preferably, a drawing technique is used to form the cover 100 having one body by using the stainless steel material.

In addition, in order to enhance processability of the cover 100 through the drawing technique, STS 300-series materials have been selected through the research on properties of various stainless steels.

Here, instead of the stainless steel, a bonded steel plate formed of a different material may be used. For instance, the front surface of the cover 100 may be formed of the stainless steel material, and a rear surface thereof may be formed of a material having an excellent elongation (e.g., aluminum, etc.), thus to provide a material having an external appearance of a metallic color, high elongation, and reduced work-hardening.

Here, a flange 102 is formed at an upper portion of the cover 100, more specifically, at an edge of the control panel mounting portion 101. As shown in FIG. 3, a control panel 120 is mounted at the control panel mounting portion 101 while pressing the flange 102 formed at the upper portion of the cover 100.

Accordingly, there is no need to separately assemble the cover 100 and the control panel 120, i.e., the cover 100 and the control panel 120 are simultaneously assembled, thereby raising the productivity.

Here, a control panel frame 110 is a component for mounting a plastic frame (not shown) where a variety of electronic components are installed. The control panel frame 110 and the control panel 120 may be separately formed or integrally formed as one component. That is, the control panel frame 110, the plastic frame and the control panel 120 may be formed as one module.

A detergent case opening 123 for pushing into and pulling out a detergent case is formed at one side of the control panel 120. A knob hole 121 for inserting a rotary knob (not shown) is formed at almost the central portion of the control panel 120. A display window 122 for mounting a display 130 on which operation information of the washing/drying machine is displayed is penetratingly formed at another side of the control panel 120. In addition, a plurality of button holes (not shown) for mounting a variety of buttons may be formed.

Meanwhile, a panel flange 125 for mounting the control panel 120 to the cover 100 is formed at an edge of the control panel 120. The panel flange 125 protrudes more rearwardly than the control panel 120, and a plurality of coupling holes 126 are formed at the panel flange 125. The coupling holes 126 are to thread-couple the panel flange 125 to the plastic frame (not shown) disposed rearward the panel flange 125.

Hereinafter, description of the assembly structure of the control panel 120 and the cover 100 will be given in detail.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘IV-IV’ in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “A” in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VI-VI’ in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “B” in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘VIII-VIII’ in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a part “C” in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the part taken along line ‘IV-IV’ is a portion where no electronic components are installed at the rear of the control panel 120. That is, a lower end of the control panel 120 in the part taken along line ‘IV-IV’ is configured to press the flange 102 of the control panel mounting portion 101, and an upper end thereof is configured to be coupled to the cover 100 by the hook 127 formed at the cover 100.

Here, the panel flange 125 formed at the edge of the control panel 120 contacts the flange 102 of the cover 100. The flange 102 formed at the lower edge of the control panel mounting portion 101 of the cover 100 is coupled by being pressed by the lower end of the control panel 120.

The panel flange 125 is pressed between the upper edge of the control panel mounting portion 101 of the cover 100 and the hook 127, thereby fixing the cover 100 and the control panel 120 to each other.

Preferably, at least 6 or more hooks 127 may be provided along the panel flange 125.

Since the cover 100 and the control panel 120 are fixed by the hooks 127, there is no need to use a number of screws to fix the control panel 120 to the cover 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a knob hole 121 for installing a rotary knob (not shown) is formed at the control panel 120. A knob deco 150 enclosing a circumference of the rotary knob for indicating a manipulation of the rotary knob is installed at the knob hole 121. A knob deco coupling means 128 is provided so as to couple the knob deco 150 to the knob hole 121 of the control panel 120. As an example of the knob deco coupling means 128, a hook 128 may be disposed around the knob hole 121 of the control panel 120.

Here, the knob deco 150 is fixed to the control panel 120 by the hook 128 formed at the plastic frame 140 disposed at a rear surface of the control panel 120.

Since the hook 128 is tapered at the rear of the control panel 120, the knob deco 150 may easily be coupled to the hook 128 when it is pushed from the rear of the control panel 120.

In addition, the panel flange 125 of the control panel 120 may be fixed by the cover 100.

In addition, as the knob deco coupling means, a stopping hook (not shown) or a mounting flange (not shown) may be formed at an edge of the knob deco 150.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the control panel 120 may include a display window 122 for installing a display screen, and a display 130 having touch-sensitive buttons 131 (FIG. 3) is mounted at the display window 122.

Here, if the cover 100 is formed of the stainless steel material, the touch-sensitive buttons 131 may be formed of the stainless steel material so as to provide a uniform external appearance.

In addition, a window flange 132 is bent at an edge of the display 130. A lower end of the window flange 132 is inserted between the control panel 120 and the plastic frame 140 or the control panel frame 110, and an upper end thereof is coupled by the hook 129 formed at the control panel 120.

Here, the window flange 132 is pressed by the panel flange 125 of the control panel 120 or the cover 100, and an end of the cover 100 is pressed by the panel flange 125 of the control panel 120.

Since the hook 129 is formed inside the control panel 120, the display 130 may easily be coupled to the hook 129 if the display 130 is pushed from the rear of the control panel 120.

Meanwhile, the flange 102 of the cover 100 is formed at the edge (circumference) of the control panel mounting portion 101. In order for the cover 100 to be fixed by the control panel 120 mounted at the control panel mounting portion 101, the cover flange 102 should be formed at the periphery of the control panel mounting portion 101. In order to prevent a protrusion of the cover 100 or the control panel 120 after assembling the control panel 120, it is effective that the flange 102 is formed to face the rear of the cover 100, i.e., the inside of the washing/drying machine.

As described above, the cover 100 is formed of the stainless steel material and implemented in one body. With such configuration, even though the cover 100 is integrally formed using the stainless steel material, the assembly structure of the cover 100 and the control panel 120 may be simplified, thereby enhancing the productivity as well as promoting a stylish image of the washing/drying machine.

The drum type washing machine has been described as an example of the washing/drying machine. However, the present invention may also be applied to a variety of electronic appliances, such as the drum type washing machine, the drum type washing/drying machine, and the drying machine as well as an integrated washing system, a refresher, a dishwasher, or the like.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A washing/drying machine, comprising: a cabinet forming an outer aspect of a washing/drying machine; a cover forming at least a portion of a front surface of the cabinet; and a control panel disposed at the cover and having a variety of buttons, wherein the control panel is mounted at a control panel mounting portion formed at an upper portion of the cover.
 2. The washing/drying machine of claim 1, wherein the control panel is fixed by a hook formed at the cover.
 3. The washing/drying machine of claim 2, wherein a panel flange formed at an upper portion of the control panel is fixed between the hook and an upper edge of the control panel mounting portion.
 4. The washing/drying machine of claim 1, further comprising: a knob deco coupling means for coupling a knob deco to a knob hole of the control panel, wherein the knob hole for mounting a rotary knob is formed at the control panel, and a knob deco disposed at a periphery of the rotary knob for indicating a manipulation of the rotary knob is formed at the knob hole.
 5. The washing/drying machine of claim 4, wherein the knob deco coupling means is implemented as a hook formed around the knob hole of the control panel so as to fix the knob deco.
 6. The washing/drying machine of claim 1, wherein a display window for installing a display is formed at the control panel, and the display having touch-sensitive buttons is mounted at the display window.
 7. The washing/drying machine of claim 6, wherein a window flange is formed at an edge of the display, a lower end of the window flange is inserted to the control panel, and an upper end thereof is coupled by the hook formed at the control panel.
 8. The washing/drying machine of claim 1, wherein the flange of the cover is formed at an edge of the control panel mounting portion.
 9. The washing/drying machine of claim 8, wherein a panel flange is formed at an edge of the control panel, and a plurality of coupling holes are formed at the panel flange.
 10. The washing/drying machine of claim 9, wherein the cover is formed of a stainless steel material, and implemented in one body. 